Nutrition labels? For your internet service?
That’s right! But instead of details on calories or grams of sugar these labels will provide information about an internet plan’s monthly pricing, discounts and bundles, internet speed range, data allowances, and more.
The bottom line: Internet providers are now sending out notices resembling nutrition labels alongside monthly bills. These labels break down the essentials of your internet plan, focusing on the 3 Ps: plans, pricing, and performance.
These labels will also be available at the point of sale—online and in stores. This is a great way to ensure you have all the facts before selecting a home internet provider.
Let’s Dive into the Broadband Label
Now that you know what to expect from Broadband Labels, let’s break down the key components.
Pricing
- Monthly Price: Clearly identifies the basic charge for the service.
- Promotional Rates: Discloses the duration of promotional pricing and the cost after the promotional period ends.
- Additional Fees: Lists one-time or recurring costs separate from the base price, such as installation charges or equipment rental fees.
- Bundling Options: Provides links to information about discounts available for bundling broadband with other services, such as TV, phone, or home security services.
Plan
- Term Commitments: Includes information on required service commitments and associated terms.
- Data Allowance: Discloses the amount of data the plan includes and any charges for exceeding the allowance.
- Additional Disclosures: Provides links to the ISP’s privacy policy, network-management disclosures, and customer support contact information.
Performance
- Typical Speeds: Outlines the typical download and upload speeds you can expect.
- Typical Latency: Shows the time it takes for data to travel across the internet.
Go deeper: The FCC provides a glossary of terms used for consumer broadband labels—check it out here.
By clearly outlining the key components of your internet plan, these labels ensure you have all the necessary information at your fingertips. Plus, ISPs will update these labels each time a plan changes, so you’ll always be in the loop about the latest offerings.
Keep an eye out for these labels on your next bill or when shopping for a new internet service to make the best decision for your needs.
At Beyond, we believe Connectivity Counts – that every American should have access to a high-speed broadband connection. Join us on this mission here.
